Protecting cover for cards, and method of producing the same



p 1942. L. w. MOULDER I 2,294,796

PROTECTING COVER- FOR CARDS AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME Filed Dec. 31, 1940 7 6 f gT 7/ lD QNTIFICATIQN IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 1, 1942 PROTECTING oovna FOR CARDS, AND

METHOD or raonuome THE SAME Lester W. Moulder, South Charleston, W. Va.

Application December 31, 1940, Serial No. 372,661

2 Claims.

This invention relates to cards such as identification cards, display cards or the like, and particularly to the method of protecting the cards against damage caused by handling or displaying the cards.

An important object of the invention is to provide' a laminated card, the protecting laminations being constructed of Vinylite, plastic sheet or similar transparent plastic material having flexible qualities and capable of being secured to the card by the application of heat and pressure.

While the primary object of the invention is to provide a protecting covering for cards, the method of producing the protecting laminations, plays an important part in the invention, since the method involved facilitates .the production of the cards, owing to the fact that the cards are accurately centered between the protecting laminations, and held in such position, during the application of heat and pressure to unite the laminations.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the construction of one of the protecting laminations, prior to the positioning of the card therein.

Figure 2 is an elevational view illustrating protecting laminations as secured together adjacent to the edges thereof, and a card slid between the laminations.

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the finished product. 4

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the card and protecting laminations or sheets housing the card.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the card to be protected, is indicated by the reference character 5, and as shown in the present drawing, the card is rectangular in formation. It is to be understood however, that the contour of the card may be changed to meet various requirements of use.

The protecting cover comprises strips of transparent plastic material having flexible qualities such as the material known to thetrade as Vinylite plastic sheets. It may be-further stated that the material of which the sheets or laminations are formed, is of such a character, that when subjected to heat and pressure, the sheets will soften, and contacting portions of the sheets will unite.

The protecting sheets are indicated by the reference character 6, and the side edges as well as the ends thereof. are curved inwardly from points adjacent to the ends of the sheets,*-leaving portions at the ends of the sheets extended beyond the card 5 positioned between the sheets, as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawing.

The spaces formed by curving the edges of the protecting sheets, permit the material to flow and at the same time prevent the trapping of air between the sheets of plastic material, to render the finished product objectionable.

In carrying out the method, these sheets after they have-been formed, are placed in a machine and subjected to heat and pressure, uniting the sheets at the ends, or portions designated by the reference character '4. After the sheets have been connected in this manner, a pocket is provided in which the card, which is indicated at 5, is inserted. After the card has been properly positioned between the protecting sheets, it will be obvious that when the card to be protected, together with its protecting sheets, are placed in a press and subjected to heat the plastic material of which the protecting sheets are formed, is reduced to a consistency where it will flow, resulting in the curved edges of the protecting sheets being forced outwardly in a line with the ends of the protecting sheets, where the contacting portions of the protecting sheets become united, due to the heat.

The finished laminated product may now be trimmed to the desired shape, leaving the identification or card to be protected, completely housed between protecting sheets of transparent material, to the end that printed matter on the card may readily be viewed through the protecting sheets. In view of the fact that the material of which the protecting sheets are formed, has resilient qualities, the bending of the card is permitted without fear of breaking the card.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of protecting cards or the like, consisting in providing a pair of protecting sheets constructed of plastic transparent material, providing enlargements at the corners of the sheets, securing the enlargements of opposite sheets together, providing a pocket for the reception of the card to be protected, the enlargements extending appreciable distances beyond the edges of the sheets of plastic material, inserting a card between the sheets of plastic material, subjectin: the sheets of plastic material and card to the action 01' heat and pressure causing the plastic material to flow to positions invalignment with the outer edges of the enlargements, beyond the edge or the card and become united.

2. A method of protecting cards or the like, consisting andproviding a pair of protecting sheets constructed of plastic transparent material, providing extensions at the corners of the sheets, the extensions extending appreciable dis- 10 the extensions of the plastic sheets.

LESTER W. MOULDER. 

